Namaqualand Four

Namaqualand is an arid area in northwest South Africa. Although it is a winter rainfall area, rainfall is sparse and the plants found in this area are not included in some of the books illustrating South African bulbs since it is not considered to be part of the Cape Floral province. For most of the year the land appears to be a desert and because it has an average annual rainfall of 50-400 mm it could be classified as such. But in a year with adequate rainfall it becomes alive with an amazing floral display of annuals, bulbs, dwarf shrubs, and succulents. Flowering usually occurs in August and September, but dry winds which halt the display can end it sooner. In a year with little rainfall there are few flowers. Summers are hot and dry but there is occasional fog since the ocean is not that far away. Photos on this page taken in Namaqualand. More information about the plants seen on this page can by found on the wiki genus pages. Links are included to make it easier to go directly to these pages. Species from L-M, Lachenalia to Moraea, are pictured below.

Lachenalia carnosa is a Namaqualand species found growing in rocks and on sandy flats between hills. Pictures 1-4 below from Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner show this species growing in the rocks September 2006. Photo 5 was taken by Cameron McMaster September 2011 near Carolusberg.

Lachenalia framesii is a Namaqualand species that grows in flat sandy areas, often in large colonies. Photo taken near Knersvlakte September 2011 by Cameron McMaster.

Lachenalia hirta is distributed from Namaqualand to the Western Cape where is grows in sandy soil, often in large colonies. Photos taken September 2006 by Mary Sue Ittner

Lachenalia namaquensis is found in exposed rocky habitats. Photo taken by Andrew Harvie northwest of Steinkopf.

Lachenalia patula is found on quartz hillsides in the northwest Cape. Photos by Andrew Harvie.

Lachenalia violacea is distributed in the northwest Cape where it is found in various habitats, but often in rocky places. Photos taken September 2006 by Mary Sue Ittner.

Moraea gawleri is widespread in the Cape province and is found growing on sandy or clay slopes, usually in Renosterveld. Photo taken September 2011 by Cameron McMaster.

Moraea inconspicua is a widespread species (Namaqualand to the Eastern Cape) found on sandy and clay slopes, flowering in spring Photographs taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.

Moraea intermedia is a rare species found in open sandy places among granite outcrops near Springbok. Photos taken by Cameron McMaster.

Moraea serpentina is a spring flowering species from arid parts of the interior and the northwestern Cape where it grows on dry stony flats and in crevices in granite rock. Photos were taken by Cameron McMaster September 2011.

Moraea unguiculata is found on shale slopes in the winter rainfall area. Its range extends into the Eastern Cape where it occurs in drier open thicket environments and Karoo hills. Photo taken September 2011 by Cameron McMaster near Kamieskroon.